MP: Sand mafia attack toll plaza employees, loot cash from counter

Masked men believed to be a part of sand mafia operating in Gwalior-Chambal region allegedly attacked employees of a toll plaza and looted cash of about Rs one lakh from a counter. Two employees sustained injuries.

A conflict between two sides over payment of toll tax is said to be the reason behind the attack. (Representational Image)

Masked men believed to be a part of sand mafia operating in Gwalior-Chambal region allegedly attacked employees of a toll plaza and looted cash of about Rs one lakh from a counter. Two employees sustained injuries.

The incident took place at Chhaunda Toll Tax barrier at Agra-Mumbai road early on the Wednesday morning . The act of assailants who fired too was caught in CCTV cameras installed at the toll plaza.

A conflict between two sides over payment of toll tax is said to be the reason behind the attack. The sand mafia operating in the area insist on non-payment of toll tax for movement of their trucks which the employees often offered resistance to.

The injured employees Akash Tomar and Jagdish were referred to Gwalior for further treatment. One of the assailants has been identified as KP Singh. The police are trying to identify the other more than a dozen accused.

Civil Lines police have lodged an FIR against the accused for loot, dacoity and attempt to murder.

City superintendent of police Surendra Singh told the incident took place about 3.45 am. The toll employees had argument with KP Singh and others over non-payment of toll tax. The latter wanted their trucks to get past toll plaza without paying the toll tax. Later, some others associated with the sand mafia reached there and started attacking the employees.